Top trotter Great Things Happen is inching closer to a racetrack return.

Trainer Gavin Smith confirmed the son of Love You is in full work and looking the soundest he has been in a long time.

“He’s doing pace work and seems good.

“His hoof is the best it’s been for three-and-a-half years.

“We could be at the trials in a month, all going to plan, but I am in no hurry with him.”

The 2017 New Zealand Trotting Free For All winner, now eight, has been restricted to just 15 starts in the past three seasons as Smith battled soundness issue, predominantly with a hoof.

He was last seen when winning at Addington in February just a week after saluting on the same track.

It’s very much a case of keeping his fingers crossed, but Smith is confident his stable star will be in the mix for all the Spring trotting features in Canterbury.

“I’ll just take it as it comes with him but he doesn’t take a lot of racing to peak, so I don’t have to rush if I’m not happy.”